The question of whether law enforcement can “scan speed” inside a vehicle is not directly related to technology that scans for speed from within a car. Instead, it often brings up a different scenario: encountering police while having a radio scanner in your vehicle. This article delves into this area, drawing upon real-world experiences to offer insights into how officers might react to scanners and what you should know.
The presence of a police scanner in a civilian vehicle can sometimes raise eyebrows, as illustrated in a firsthand account from a law enforcement officer. Imagine being pulled over for a routine traffic stop. Reaching under your seat – even for something as innocuous as adjusting a scanner – could be misinterpreted. In law enforcement, such actions are termed “furtive movements.” These actions can quickly escalate a situation. An officer might perceive it as reaching for a weapon, leading to you being removed from the car, possibly at gunpoint, and a “frisk” of the area for officer safety. If a scanner is discovered during such a search, it naturally prompts further questions about your intentions.
Legally speaking, in many places, including Texas as referenced in the original discussion, there are exemptions that permit listening to scanners. Simply having a scanner in your car is generally not against the law. Many individuals, including the officer recounting the story, routinely have scanners in their personal vehicles without issue. The legality of scanner use typically focuses on what you do with the information, not merely possession or listening.
However, a scanner can become a point of interest during a police encounter, especially if other factors are at play. Consider a situation where a plainclothes narcotics officer was tracking a vehicle following a police pursuit. Concerned that the occupants might be intending to assist a fleeing suspect, the officer requested a patrol unit to stop the suspicious vehicle.
This led to a traffic stop scenario where the officer interacted with a driver who initially denied following the pursuit. Consent to search the vehicle was obtained, and while no drugs were found, a scanner was discovered hidden between the seats. For the officer, the scanner itself wasn’t the primary concern. As the officer stated, scanners are common, and many officers themselves were initially drawn to law enforcement through scanners. The issue arose from the driver’s dishonesty about following the pursuit. The scanner, in this context, became another piece of circumstantial evidence supporting the suspicion that the driver was indeed involved in something questionable.
The officer, in this particular instance, used the scanner as leverage. Mentioning potential charges like “interfering with public duties,” which could be applicable if someone was actively hindering law enforcement by monitoring the pursuit, the officer instructed the driver to “do something with the scanner.” While not explicitly illegal to possess, the scanner in this situation represented a link to the driver’s deceptive behavior and potential involvement in obstructing police work. The driver, opting to avoid further complications, discarded the scanner.
In conclusion, while police cannot “scan speed” from inside your car in the way the keyword might initially suggest, encounters with law enforcement while having a scanner in your vehicle can be complex. The mere presence of a scanner is usually not illegal, and officers generally don’t have an issue with citizens listening to public airwaves. However, a scanner can become a point of interest if it’s coupled with suspicious behavior, dishonesty, or actions that could be perceived as interfering with police operations. Understanding your local laws regarding scanner use and being mindful of your actions during a traffic stop are key to ensuring any encounter related to a scanner remains uneventful.
